Djokovic into 10th Wimbledon final after straight sets win over Lorenzo Musetti
By Charlie Stong on Centre Court at Wimbledon
Gentlemen’s Singles semi-final
Novak Djokovic (Srb, 2) bt Lorenzo Musetti (Ita, 25) 6-4, 7-6, 6-4
Novak Djokovic is into his 10th Wimbledon final after a straight sets win over Italian Lorenzo Musetti on Centre Court this evening.
Djokovic, who has won seven titles here, will play Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz here in Sunday’s final – with the chance to avenge last year’s epic five set victory for Alcaraz.
Djokovic got the first break at 4-2 in the opening set thanks to a fine volley at the net following one of a whole number of excellent long rallies in this match.
The Serbian brought up two set points at 5-3 but Musetti came back, not only to save those, but to break serve.
However the seven-time champion raced into a 0-40 lead in the next game bringing up three more set points. Musetti again saved one of them, but double faulted at 15-40 to hand Djokovic the first set.
Musetti produced a brilliant forehand down the line to break Djokovic in set two’s opening game, but the favour was returned to make it 3-3 – with Djokovic producing a brilliant cross-court forehand to break.
Djokovic was in trouble at 5-6, 0-30, but then showed his true greatness by producing four excellent serves in a row – three of them aces – when he needed them the most – and with the confidence gained from those serves he raced away with the second set tie-break by seven points to two.
The writing was now on the wall for world number 25 Musetti, who was broken in the third set’s opening game, before Djokovic held comfortably for a 2-0 lead.
The third set tie-break had done considerable damage to Musetti’s morale, but he showed courage to hold the next game, from a precarious position at 30-30.
However Djokovic’s serve was by now holding firm. He won the next game to take a 3-1 lead thanks to a superb deep volley which Musetti could not return, then held his nerve to lead 5-3, winning a game during which Musetti had threatened.
Djokovic raced into a 0-40 lead in the next game but Musetti was not done just yet, winning five points in a row to make Djokovic serve for the match – which he duly did.
Pictured top: Musetti v Djokovic (Picture: Charlie Stong)
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